Africa Smart Cities: Johannesburg sets eyes on being a smart city by 2040

World
Europe

Johannesburg, the economic hub of South Africa, plans to become one of Africa's first fully integrated smart cities, by 2040. CGTN Julie Scheier takes a look at how the city is doing it.

Johannesburg positions as a world-class Africa city as a home for nearly 4 and a half million people in the next 20 years.

RICHARD NGOBENI MAYORAL COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE, CITY OF JOHANNESBURG "We've got a number of projects that are currently running, which involves health, which involves public safety, which involves, you know, high speed, Wi-Fi, and all these projects are aimed at getting us to the level where, you know, we can be rated as one of the smart cities in Africa."

Beyond demand for services, residents are faced with high levels of crime, unemployment, traffic congestion as well as a public transport system which is still far from seamless.

RICHARD NGOBENI MAYORAL COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE, CITY OF JOHANNESBURG "We must have an E-ticketing system that can be able to be used for both of Reya Vaya and Metro bus without any problems. And if needs be, you know, we're going to work very closely with the provincial government to see how we can be able to integrate the trains into the Smart City program that we are busy implementing in the city."

But there's no blueprint for cities of the future. It depends on population needs, universal access to a 5G network, accurate data collection and a skilled workforce.

MAY CHANG, LIBRARY CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI "So all baby steps, maybe, but trying to you know, build up the skill set that people can find a decent job, and then work with industry to offer those jobs to the minute. So it's a long game. It's not like tomorrow is going to happen. So you know, you'll find your own way."

Now, we already live a smart life with our high tech phones, watches and sophisticated cars. I get into my vehicle. It chooses the best route for me and off I go.

JULIE SCHEIER JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA "Smart Cities will work on a much larger scale making life easier for everyone. It will even tell you where to park when you go to the shops. JS CGTN JHB South Africa."